Surf Samoa – Surf’s Up!

Still off the beaten track in terms of world surfing destinations, Samoa offers an undiscovered paradise for surfing enthusiasts.

Samoa’s surf is a blend of powerful waves forming out of deep water that explode when they hit the offshore coral reef that surrounds the islands. Samoa has a host of waves with a variety of set ups to choose from and quality can be world class if the conditions are right. Still off the beaten track in terms of world surfing destinations, Samoa offers an undiscovered paradise for surfing enthusiasts.

Seasonal Conditions

There is year round surf with 2 distinct wave patterns in the wet and the dry season. The wet season typically starts in November and goes through until April. During the wet season the northeast trade winds create clean offshore conditions with 2 to 5 foot swells. The swell during the wet season can be a small south swell with the occasional cyclone swell passing to the south. The north swells are the same ones that hit Hawaii, only smaller. So there is always some swell to be found at this time of year.

The dry season is from May to October and the southeast trade winds can become quite strong by midday. The dry season brings big south swells of 3 to 10 feet, so early morning is the time to get the best surf conditions at this time of year.

Getting to the Perfect Wave

Access to many of the best surf spots is easier by boat. For this reason, as well as the benefit of local knowledge, it is best for visitors to go with a local guide or surf tour operator. Surf tours cost approximately WST80 per head for as long as the conditions are good. Some tour guides have one or two boards they hire out for an extra WST20.

Local surf tour guides include:

Manoa Tours (Neill)                        manoatours@gmail.com               7770007

Offshore Adventures (Brent)          offshoreadventures@live.com        7508825

Samoa Surf Secrets (Nugg)            nuggardiner@gmail.com                  7295595

Surfing Ability

Surfing in Samoa is intermediate or advanced level as the reef breaks and sometimes-strong currents are not suited to beginners. For experienced surfers, Samoa offers relatively uncrowded breaks, stunning scenery and warm tropical conditions.

What to Bring

If you plan on doing more than a day’s surfing, definitely bring your own board – or more than 1 if you can – 1 all rounder, 1 fish or semi gun (depending on surf forecast). It can be difficult to hire boards in Samoa as only one of the guides has a small selection of boards for rental.

Also bring booties, rashies, towels, sunscreen, sunglasses, TROPICAL wax, ding repair kit, extra fins, board bag, boardies, flippers for snorkeling, camera, hat, zinc, mosquito repellent, magazines, ipods etc…

Surf Spots

Upolu is the main surfing destination in Samoa and there are many reef passes dotted along the coastline that present opportunities to those who are willing to explore the region looking for waves. Stay in luxury at Ifiele’ele Plantation and have good access to many of the great surf spots around the island.

More Detail on Surf Spots Close to Ifiele’ele Plantation

Boulders

One of Samoa’s best-known waves, Boulders is a lava rock point that swings into a coral reef. This left-hander can handle the big South swells and while still challenging, it offers more open-faced sections than other spots. Boulders can be accessed via 4WD and then a long paddle from the beach.

Surf Skill: Intermediate to Advanced
Surf Type: Gun, Semi Gun, Short Boarders
Season: Mar – Sep
Break Direction: Left
Bottom: Reef, Rock
Access: Boat Or Long Paddle
Best Conditions: Swell SE; Size 3 – 10ft; Wind N – NW, Tide Low – Mid

Coconuts

Coconuts is an incredibly hollow right hander that has been compared to HT’s in the Mentawai’s. This barrel can hold up to ten foot. It is situated in front of Coconuts Beach Resort on an outer reef. It is a very long paddle from the beach so boat access if definitely advisable.

Surf Skill: Advanced
Surf Type: Gun, Semi Gun, Short Boarders
Season: Mar – Sep
Break Direction: Right
Bottom: Reef
Access: Long Paddle Or Boat
Best Conditions: Swell:S; Size 3 – 8ft; Wind NE; Tide Mid – High

Fagaloa Bay

Fagaloa Bay sits on the North-eastern side of Upolu. It is home to the mellower point-breaks that are perfectly suited to longboards. This place is quite inaccessible without a boat which helps keep the crowds away. Fagaloa Bay has four separate right handers, all which run down its eastern shoreline. However they do need a specific swell direction to really light up.

Surf Skill: Intermediate
Surf Type: Longboarders, Shortboarders, Stand Up Paddle Boarders
Season: Apr – Sep
Break Direction: Right/Left
Bottom: Reef
Access: Boat
Best Conditions: Swell NE; Size 2 – 4ft; Wind S – SW; Tide Mid – High

Inside Siumu

A short fun left with whackable walls.

Surf Skill: Intermediate
Surf Type: Longboarders Shortboarders
Season: Apr – Sep
Break Direction: Left
Bottom: Reef
Access: Boat
Best Conditions: Swell S – SW; Size 2 – 4ft; Wind N – NE; Tide Mid – High

Lauli’i

An excellent right that winds down a small point into a tropical bay with a hollow first section.

Surf Skill: Intermediate
Surf Type: Longboarders, Shortboarders
Season: Jan – Mar, Oct – Dec
Break Direction: Right
Bottom: Reef
Access: Boat Or Paddle From Beach
Best Conditions: Swell NW – NE; Size 3 – 6ft; Wind SW – SE; Tide Mid – High

Outside Siumu

A little more serious than ‘Inside’ with longer and bowlier sections.

Surf Skill: Intermediate
Surf Type: Semi Gun Shortboarders
Season: Apr – Sep
Break Direction: Right/Left
Bottom: Reef
Access: Boat
Best Conditions: Swell S – SW; Size 3 – 6ft; Wind N – NE; Tide Mid – High

Pudding Rock

Located on the North side of Upolu. Pudding Rock is a short playful right, which breaks over rocks. It is an easy paddle out from the beach.

Surf Skill: Intermediate
Surf Type: Semi Gun Shortboarders
Season: Jan – Mar, Oct – Dec
Break Direction: Right
Bottom: Reef
Access: Boat Or Paddle From Beach
Best Conditions: Swell N – NE; Size 3 – 5ft; Wind S – SW; Tide Mid – High

Salamumu Point

Salamumu Point is fast left-hander that has some great bowly sections but is a real down the line wave. Another break where a boat comes in real handy.

Surf Skill: Intermediate
Surf Type: Shortboarders
Season: Mar – Sep
Break Direction: Left
Bottom: Reef
Access: Boat
Best Conditions: Swell SW; Size 3 – 5ft; Wind NE; Tide Mid – High

The Island

The Island is a powerful bowling left which breaks over a shallow coral reef. Like majority of breaks in Samoa, The Island is best reached via boat from one of the nearby resorts. The wave tends to section most of the time which helps separate the crowd. When this happens a mellower wall starts to roll into the channel, whereas at the head of the reef a more intense version peaks.

Surf Skill: Intermediate
Surf Type: Semi Gun Shortboarders
Season: Mar – Sep
Break Direction: Left
Bottom: Reef
Access: Boat
Best Conditions: Swell SE; Size 2 – 6ft; Wind NW; Tide Mid

Tiavea

Not so close to Ifiele’ele but a good option in the dry season, Tiavea is home to a large welcoming bay area, which is fringed by coral reef. There are a variety of lefts and rights for those willing to explore. Tiavea is a good option for the summer months when it picks up the Northerly swell. One of the main breaks in the bay is a right-hander, which breaks in a similar style to Hawaii’s Sunset Beach. It has a great drop and throws out some great barrels. At times there is also a left breaking as well.

Surf Skill: Intermediate to Advanced
Surf Type: Funboarders, Longboarders, Shortboarders
Season: Jan – Feb, Nov – Dec
Break Direction: Right/Left
Bottom: Reef
Access: Boat Or Long Paddle From Beach
Best Conditions: Swell NE; Size 2 – 5ft; Wind SW; Tide Mid – Low

Your Samoan surfing safari is waiting to happen….

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*Prices current at October 2016

Sources: The Surf Travel Company (www.surftravel.com.au/destinations/samoa/)